“Bridgerton” Season 3: Everything You Need to Know

Bridgerton Season 1 told the love story of Daphne Bridgerton and the Duke of Hastings, and Season 2 followed the enemies-to-lovers arc of Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma. It seems as though Bridgerton is sticking to its source material format of following a new love story each season, as it was recently announced that the third season will center on the romance between Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington. Actress Nicola Coughlan revealed Season 3’s major plot focus at Netflix’s FYSEE panel event on May 15.

“Like Lady Whistledown, I have been keeping a secret for quite some time and I can confirm to you all that season 3 is Colin and Penelope’s love story,” said Nicola at the event, per The Hollywood Reporter. “I have kept that secret since two weeks into season 2. This is the first time I am saying it here.” 

ICYMI, Bridgerton is based on a series of novels of the same name, written by historical romance author Julia Quinn. The novels detail the major romances of the eight Bridgerton siblings. As noted by Variety, the first two seasons of Bridgerton followed the events of the first two Bridgerton books: The Duke and I and The Viscount Who Loved Me. The third book in the series follows the love story of Benedict Bridgerton, the second Bridgerton son. 

However, the Bridgerton TV series plans to jump ahead, instead depicting the events of the fourth novel, Romancing Mister Bridgerton, in Season 3. Straying from the chronology of the books, this decision moves up Penelope and Colin’s love story — which makes sense when you consider the Season 2 finale. 

Spoiler alert: During S2’s final episode, Penelope overheard her long-time crush Colin declaring that he would never marry her. The scene now serves as a perfect set-up for Polin in Season 3.

On July 20, Netflix’s Tudum shared some more info on this season’s romantic focus, revealing that Penelope will be “moving away from her crush on Colin” to find a husband, one that will allow her the agency to continue working as Lady Whistledown.

“But Colin quickly realizes that he’s losing his long-time friend [in Penelope] and wants to win her back,” reported Tudum. “He then offers to help Penelope improve her confidence to better attract a proposal. Once Collin’s lessons start to work a little too well, he’ll have to grapple with the possibility that his feelings for Penelope aren’t strictly platonic. Penelope’s falling out with Colin’s little sister Elosie — who will find an unlikely new friend in Season 3 — further complicates the Polin matter.” 

There is one other storyline that has also been confirmed: more Kanthony! Back in March, actress Simone Ashley (who portrays Kate Sharma in the series) told Teen Vogue that Season 3 continues Kate and Anthony’s love story and will show what life is like for “post-marriage Kanthony.” We’re literally on the edge of our seats!

When is Bridgerton Season 3 coming out on Netflix?